Governor Nixon Outlines Plan to Improve Mental Health Care
By: Robert Lowrey
Updated: February 6, 2013
(ST. JOSEPH, Mo.) Mental health is on the minds of state lawmakers.
There is even a proposed plan laid out by Governor Nixon.
"Right now, many people with severe mental illness only get treatment when they reach a crisis point," said Governor Jay Nixon during a visit to Arnold, MO.
As the governor pushed his plan for mental health on the other side of the Show-Me State, city officials in St. Joseph have stated it is an issue that needs more attention.
"When you cut funding to mental health, these things just multiply and I think we need to get back to the core of that," said St. Joseph mayor Bill Falkner during a discussion about background checks.
In Governor Nixon's proposal, $10 million would focus on a few key areas such as attention on the early warning signs, better funding for community mental health centers, additional training for law enforcement, and education for families that have someone with a mental health disability.
It is something organizations like Focus Empowerment Group know too well.
"Family members are experts on their experiences with services they're experience on their children, and can be experts on providing a unique level of support to other people," said Joe Turner, president of Focus Empowerment Group.
There is even a proposed plan laid out by Governor Nixon.
"Right now, many people with severe mental illness only get treatment when they reach a crisis point," said Governor Jay Nixon during a visit to Arnold, MO.
As the governor pushed his plan for mental health on the other side of the Show-Me State, city officials in St. Joseph have stated it is an issue that needs more attention.
"When you cut funding to mental health, these things just multiply and I think we need to get back to the core of that," said St. Joseph mayor Bill Falkner during a discussion about background checks.
In Governor Nixon's proposal, $10 million would focus on a few key areas such as attention on the early warning signs, better funding for community mental health centers, additional training for law enforcement, and education for families that have someone with a mental health disability.
It is something organizations like Focus Empowerment Group know too well.
"Family members are experts on their experiences with services they're experience on their children, and can be experts on providing a unique level of support to other people," said Joe Turner, president of Focus Empowerment Group.
